Google Drive File Stream

Work with your files

Keep files and folders offline

To save a file offline, make sure you have an app that can open your file.

1. Click the Drive File Stream Menu .

2. Click Open Google Drive folder .

3. Right-click the file or folder you want to save offline.

4. Click Drive File Stream  Available offline.

5. Once your file is saved offline, you'll see a green check mark next to it.

See who’s editing Microsoft Office files in real time

When you store a Microsoft Office file in Drive File Stream and share it with people who also have real-time presence turned on, you can see whether anyone else is making changes.

• Safe to edit: You can make changes in the file because no one else is editing.

• Wait to edit: Someone else is editing the file.

  • To get notified when they’re done, check the box next to "Notify me when it’s safe to edit."

  • To see more about who is editing or viewing the file, click on the person in the list.

• New version created: Someone created a newer version.

  • To get their new version, click Get latest.

Combine versions that conflict

If someone saves a new version while you’re editing, you can merge your changes into the latest version.

1. In the lower right, click Preview.

2. Copy changes from your version (on the left) to the latest version (on the right).

3. Click Save.

4. Your unsaved version on the left will be removed.

Give permission on macOS

If you use Drive File Stream on macOS, you must change your system permissions to see other editors in real time:

1. On your Mac, go to System Preferences  Security & Privacy  Privacy  Accessibility.

2. At the bottom left, click the lock to make changes.

3. Next to "Drive File Stream," check the box.

Turn off real-time presence

Real-time presence is automatically turned on. To turn it off:

1. Click the Drive File Stream Menu .

2. Click More   Preferences.

3. Under "Real time presence in Microsoft Office" uncheck the box.

4. Click Done.